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NRL Preview: Roosters v Eels

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On Saturday night at Allianz Stadium, the Dyldam Parramatta Eels will take on the reigning premiers, the Sydney Roosters, looking to follow up a 36-16 victory at home in Round One with another strong performance.

While the tricolours will be missing star forward Sonny Bill Williams - serving a three week ban for a shoulder charge in the season opener - Roosters five-eighth James Maloney says his side will bring a new attitude to their second round clash.

"It's probably a bit of a kick in the arse we needed," Maloney said of their Round One loss to South Sydney.

“We weren't at the standard we would have liked ourselves to be. We have some work to do but we have a chance to rectify it this week."

Meanwhile the side Head Coach Brad Arthur has named to run out in Blue and Gold contains only one change, with young hooker Kaysa Pritchard named to replace Nathan Peats in the number nine jersey.

Luke Kelly and Corey Norman will line up again in the halves for the Eels, looking to build on their combination from Round One with fullback Jarryd Hayne and the back line of Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga and Vai Toutai.

Both Parramatta wingers ran in three tries in the Eels’ 36-16 victory on Sunday night, and their athleticism will be tested against Daniel Tupou and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Up front, the match-ups between tried and tested Test props Jared Warea-Haregreaves and Fuifui Moimoi and up and coming forwards Manu Ma’u, Kenny Edwards, Dylan Napa and Remi Casty is bound to be fiery.

And Eels Co-Captain Tim Mannah says the Eels won't be taking the Roosters side lightly, with our without Sonny Bill Williams on the field.

“I think they’re an example that it doesn’t just take one or two good players to win a competition," Mannah said.

"Whether Sonny Bill’s there or not, they’re a quality side right across the park."

“For us it’s about showing our attitude and mentality and being ready to go to work and doing the best we can.”

The NRL match kicks off at 7.30pm, with gates opening at 5pm ahead of the 5.15pm NYC match-up. Follow the live updates from the game online using the game hashtag #NRLSydPar or the Eels tag #blueandgold!